Ninth Siege of Abruzzi

This Article is related to the stories of either Aurum, or From Dust, and is not related to the TTRPG

This Article takes place in the future

The Ninth Siege of Abruzzi (Abrutta in Rotharian) was a major battle which took place on July 7th NT 766 in and near the Heran city of Abruzzi. The siege was the last of a series of battle tracing back to the Rotharian Civil-war when the Kingdom of Hera split from the Rotharian Imperium.

The battle came in the form of a combined Land and Sea offensive by the Rotharian Odessa Expeditionary Force led the Kon-Aerich Aeris Auris. The capture of Abruzzi was deemed necessary for the expeditions success, as the city acts as a gate keeper for the Gulf of Hera, and would prevent any Rotharian forces from advancing northward, and would cut off future supplies. The capture of Abruzzi has been considered one of the principle goals of Rotharian military doctrine for centuries, and the successful capture of the city proved to be one of the most important military victories in modern Rotharian history.

Background
The city of Abruzzi rests on a key region in the Sea of Souls known as "The Straits of Abruzzi", which act as the only water passage from the sea into the Gulf of Hera, and thereby through the great waterways of Lake Rea. Abruzzi has historically been one of the most fought over pieces of land in Halas, as control over the strait provides the owner nearly total control over maritime passage from all nations up stream. By controlling the strait Hera has been able to express substantial influence of the nations of Pyran, Verinia, and Rea all of whom are highly reliant on trade passing through the straits.

In addition to this, by maintaining control of the straits Hera ensures that no Rotharian invasion may land on Heran land within the gulf. Lastly the city of Abruzzi itself is the eastern most major city of Hera proper, and has become a major naval base for the Heran navy, which has proven vital in both the defense of the city, and nation as a whole. The Rotharians have attempted to take the city eight prior times, all ending in failure to varying degrees.

The defending Heran force consists of the 25,000 man city garrison, and the 30 ship division of the Heran navy based out of the city. In addition to these forces an additional 5,000 soldiers were stationed in Fort Acrisio on the island of Santa Guelfo. The City garrison was commanded by Watch Commander Ansaldo Vaccaro, while the docked Naval division was under the command of Captain Armando Leano. The soldiers stationed in Fort Acrisio were under command of Watch Captain Melchiorre Mercadante.

The Rotharian forces operated under the joint command of Academius Auros, with Kon-Aerich Aeris Auris taking command of a detachment of of 20 ships (Aproximately 3,500 Soldiers), and all 30 pieces of Artillery. Het Junia Karsa took command of a detachment of 30 ships (7,500 Men), while Lucius Valenii, and Lycus Novius took joint control of the remaining 110 ships, and 34,000 Men.

Arrival of the Odessa Expeditionary Force
The garrison of Abruzzi had received by June 16th reports of a Rotharian Expedition heading in the direction of the Naran city of Astérion, and had disregarded the reports and such expeditions are quite regular. By July 2nd this same fleet was reported has having majorly diverged from its course, in the direction of Hera. The garrison of Abruzzi was raised to high alert, and the 30 ship Gulf Patrol fleet stationed in Abruzzi was ordered back to port in preparation for the suspected attack. Only July 4th the fleet was confirmed as a Military expedition on course of the strait of Abruzzi. Watch Commander Ansaldo Vaccaro ordered the city placed under Military Law, and for a request for reinforcements sent to Military Command in Hera. On july 5th word was received that the Rotharian Fleet was a day out from the straits, and that no reinforcements would be able to arrive before the 10th. Commander Vacco ordered the near by Fort Acrisio on high alert as well, requesting the Fort be ready to provide combat support should the Rotharians attempt a landing.

On July 6th the Odessa Expeditionary Force under the command on Kon-Aerich Aeris Auris arrived within visual range of the city of Abruzzi, confirming Ansaldo's fears. To the surprise of the Garrison, the Rotharian Fleet first anchored itself outside of the strait, rather than immediately attacking as prior Rotharian Expeditions had. A letter was transported to the Watch Command from the Rotharian fleet demanding their total surrender in exchange for the sparing of the city. Ansaldo declined, his confidence bolsters by the historic failures of the Rotharians to take the city -- he ordered his men to light a signal fire, and provide the Rotharians with a response in their own language, "'Saa' -- Come then."The Rotharian fleet provided no answer.

Siege
On the night of the 6th, the Rotharian leadership gathered to prepare themselves for the coming morning's actions. The Rotharian forces under Aeris Auris had prepared a plan for the siege of Abruzzi, which fell into four stages. Kon-Aerich Auris, and Het Junia were to ambush the garrison on the island of Santa Guelfo, and capture the island, allowing for the deployment of the new, and highly experimental long range Rotharian Artillery. This artillery was intended to provide covering fire for the primary fleet under joint command of Lucius Ai Valenii, and Lycus Ai Novius which would rapidly approach the Abruzzi docks, and prepare a major landing of marines into the city.

This plan required nearly perfect cooperation between the new, and untested Academius Auros, and would be the teams first real battle together. While Auris, Karsa, and Tulia (Who was serving in a support role at the time) agreed that the plan was the best way forward, while Hostillian (Who was also serving a support role), Novius, and Valenii openly opposed and doubted the plan, believing that the Lycus fleet would be eviscerated by the mounted canons on the gargantuan walls of Abruzzi, and that the untested artillery fire would not provide enough firepower to keep the canons disabled. Despite these issues, Aeris ordered the plan put into motion by the morning.

First Stage
The first Rotharian action took place on the morning of July 7th. The Fleet which had remained anchored outside Abruzzi extinguished all lights, and the first detachment, aproximately 50 ships under the joint command of Aeris Auris, and Junia Karsa, departed in the direction of Santa Guelfo. Upon arriving to the island around sunrise, the fleet split with some 20 vessels anchoring and deploying men to the island. These deployed forces, under the direct command of Kon-Aerich Auris began to construct a temporary fortress referred to as 'Camp Auris', and earthworks on the west side of the island, facing Abruzzi. They also began to deploy, and assemble 20 of the artillery pieces the fleet had brought along, with a further 10 remaining with Het Karsa's detachment.

The remaining 30 ship detachment lead of Het Junia Karsa continued in the direction of Fort Acrisio, which was obscured by a chain of hills running down the center of the island. Het Karsa ordered three ships to make a landing in a small inlet near Fort Acrisio. Some 200 men, and the 10 Artillery pieces were included in this landing. The Junia fleet anchored itself in the inlet while these men slowly crept up the hill, and began to establish 'Camp Junia' atop the hill. Once Camp Junia signaled the fleet that the artillery pieces had been assembled, Het Junia ordered her fleet to raise anchor, and continue on toward Fort Acrisio. By this point the garrison at Acrisio had noticed Camp Auris being establish on the west of the island, and had begun preparing a raid to stop the encampment. These preparations were interrupted when the Junia fleet pulled beside the fort, and began to open fire with their ship board cannons.

The defenders in Fort Acrisio were taken by surprise, and quickly rallied to the walls, where they began a valiant defense, leading to the sinking of one of Junia's vessels, and the drowning of 200 Rotharian soldiers. As the Junia fleet rounded the Fortress and prepared for a second barrage, the artillery which had been secretly set up in Camp Junia on an adjacent hill began to open fire on Fort Acrisio. The Artillery fire entirely disabled the coastal walls and canons of the fortress, and bore a hole clean into the side. The Junia Fleet prepared a landing, and deployed the remainder of her 7,300 men onto the island. Within the hour Fort Acrisio had fallen to Rotharian Forces, and the Watch Captain Melchiorre Mercadante was killed in action.

Second Stage
With the successful completion of the first stage of the Siege of Abruzzi, and with the island of Santa Guelfo firmly under Rotharian control, the Auris force continued with the establishment of Camp Auris, and the deployment of its 20 Artillery pieces. During this time the 10 pieces of Artillery from Camp Junia were also disassembled and relocated to Camp Auris. By the time of Fort Acrisio fall the morning had given way to the noon, and the residents of Abruzzi awoke to the distant sounds of the shelling of fort Acrisio, and the sight of smoke rising in the distance. The garrison in Abruzzi witnessed the fall of Acrisio with much shock, as the Island had never totally fallen into Rotharian hands before, though it had been partially captured during prior sieges.

Shortly after the capture of Fort Acrisio, the Lycus Fleet received the signal to being advancing toward the city of Abruzzi, though at a slow pace. Within Abruzzi itself Watch Commander Ansaldo Vaccaro ordered his men to prepare the cannons to fire upon the advancing Rotharian vessels when they arrive within range. At around 1 in the afternoon Camp Auris began to open fire upon Abruzzi, marking the start of the third stage.

Third Stage
Captain Armando Leano, who was in charge of the docked Gulf Patrol Street was preparing his vessels to take off from the city harbor when his work was interrupted by a distant whistling sound. Captain Leano paused at the arrival of the sound, and confusedly began asking others at the docks of they also heard the noise. Moment later the first shell of artillery fired from Camp Auris impacted the ships moored in the Abruzzi Harbor. The strength of the blast blew Captain Leano off his feet, with a secondary explosion following the ignition of the ammo battery within one of the moored ships destroying a major section of the harbor. Moment later a second barrage of shells impacted the harbor, sinking three ships, igniting more batteries, and killing 300 sailors.

Armando rose to his feet during the interlude of barrages, and began to rush through the streets of Abruzzi in the direction of the city garrison post where Commander Vaccaro was located. After a further ten minutes of bombardment on the harbor the city had fallen into total chaos. The bombardment from Camp Auris had managed to disable the entirety of the fleet in Abruzzi, and render the city defenseless from a northerly landing. At 1:45 Captain Leano arrived at the foot of the City Walls, which had already received heavy damage from the ongoing artillery barrage. As Leano began to climb the steps to the walls which towered far above the city, a single shell from Camp Auris found its way through the weakened surface of the wall, and impacted the main canon battery, which had been exposed by the partial collapse of the north wall into the sea.

Upon the impact of this shell, the North Wall of Abruzzi's main battery detonated, killing over 5,000 men instantaneously, Commander Ansaldo Vaccaro included. Captain Leano was flung from the walls, breaking several bones on impact. Additionally the extreme volume of the explosion inflicted upon him permanent hearing damage, along with nearly 30,000 other residents of Abruzzi. As the Lycus fleet approach from below, the city of Abruzzi lay entirely defenseless. The Lycus fleet lost two ships to turbulent waters and falling debris from the north wall of Abruzzi, which had now totally collapsed into the sea, leaving the city exposed. Lycus Novius ordered his fleet to approach the north docks of the city as Camp Auris' main artillery barrage wound down. As the Rotharian ships neared the harbor, the fourth and final stage of the siege began.

On Santa Guelfo Aeris and Junia watched as the Great Wall of Abruzzi, which rose hundreds of feet above the water slowly collapsed under its own weight, tumbling into the sea and creating massive tides which crashed against the rocky shores of the island. Massive fires raged throughout the city, and gargantuan plumes of smoke rose from beyond, blackening the sky, and birthing an artificial night. As the red glow of the fire lit the skies in a brilliant orange, it is said Aeris gave his answer to the prior day's refusal of surrender;"'Kono Saa, Abrutta' -- We have come, Abruzzi"

Fourth Stage
Lycus Novius ordered his men to dispatch onto the harbor five ships at a time, having the first 1,000 men establish a beach head within the harbor where more of his men could be safely deployed. The first thousand soldiers marked the first Rotharian soldiers to have ever set foot within the city of Abruzzi, and was the first time the garrison of Abruzzi had to fight off Rotharian Soldiers in hand to hand combat, which the Imperium has historically excelled at. By 4:00 in the afternoon, the bulk of Lycus' men had disembarked, and as planned he placed these men under the command of Lucius Valenii. While Valenii began to prepare for the Rotharian land forces to advance from the harbor and into the city of Abruzzi, Lycus pulled his fleet away, and began to sail in the direction of Santa Guelfo, where his fleet would meet with the Aeris and Junia fleets, before returning to the city with their respective commanders.

Within Abruzzi, Valenii began a difficult and bloody assault of the city, with the harbor gates having fallen during the artillery barrage. Rotharian forces advanced in Cohorts of 20, splitting up to cover each and every street of the city, and ensuring buildings were clear of Heran soldiers. By 5:30 the remnants of the Northern wall had been secured, and the Rotharian forces began to engage the chaotic, and leaderless Heran forces one by one as they advanced along the ruins. At 6:00 half of Abruzzi had fallen to Rotharian hands. Captain Armando Leano had taken command of the remaining Heran forces, and had established a command post in the City Library along the southern wall. Captain Leano ordered his men to primarily assist in the evacuation of the city, and the protection of civilians. When asked why he does not plan on attacking the Rotharian's directly he responded,"You do not scratch a lion in his den, and you do not challenge a Rotharian to Close Combat."

Surrender of Abruzzi
By nightfall, around 8:00 the Rotharian forces under Valenii, and with Aeris Auris present arrived outside the City Library. Captain Leano ordered a white flag raised from the bell tower in the courtyard, and for all remaining forces to surrender to the Rotharians. Captain Leano was the first to leave the library. He exited alone, and approached Valenii and Auris. Leano offered the total surrender of all Heran forces within Abruzzi, in return for the Rotharian's mercy. Both Auris and Valenii accepted Leano's surrender, and promised the people of Abruzzi would receive the protection of the Rotharian Imperium.

The following morning the Rotharian Forces began repairs of the city, primarily focused on the heavily damaged north walls. Aeris suspected that reinforcements would arrive from Hera, and that he may soon find himself under siege. Word was sent back home of their victory in Abruzzi. The remaining officer corps of the Heran forces had charges brought against them including acting in leadership of a rebellious power, aiding in conspiracy, and treason against the Imperium for their service in Hera, which Rotharia still viewed as a rebel state. Captain Leano make an appeal for clemency directly with Aeris, which was met with a counter offer,"We do not choose under which flag we are born, nor should we punish those whom fate has placed astray. If you pledge your loyalty to Rotharia, then Rotharia will pledge to protect you."Captain Leano and his men pledged their loyalty to Rotharia, and again specifically to Aeris, whose victory they viewed as stunning, and whose mercy they considered saintly. Aeris accepted their pledges, and ordered for his men to enlist Leano and his men into Aeris' forces. Leano was granted the title of Watch Commander of the newly established city of Abrutta.

Aftermath
In the wake of the siege of Abruzzi, the Heran Military began a rapid mobilization of forces, including some whom had been garrisoned in the contentious Fortress-City of Vitola. Two weeks after the siege, word reached the Imperial Capital of Savoca, where the Imperator Liran Ais Gaeiia IV rose from his seat in shock upon hearing the news. The Imperial Senate entered into an emergency session with the entirely unexpected capture of Abruzzi. A vote was called to formally enter the City of Abrutta, and newly established Provinca Ae Brutta into the Imperium. The vote passed overwhelmingly.

The Factio Lattum, and Factio Gaeiia pushed for a surprise vote as well, seeking to offer the Governorship to Aeris Auris in respect to his glorious victory. Debate over the vote continued for two days until finally the vote narrowly ended 130-120 in favor. On November 7th 766, Aeris Auris was informed of his promotion to Governor of Abrutta, though along with his promotion came the warning that his task was not yet complete, and that his expedition was still expected to continue on to Odessa. Aeris' first action as Governor was to appoint Lucius Ai Valenii as interim governor, and Commander of forces for the Governate of Abrutta, which would included 40,000 additional troops ordered from Nara, and Veras.